PET-CT Scanners

The photons are then tracked by a tomographic scintillation counter, and the information is processed by a computer to provide both image and data on blood flow and metabolic processes within bodily tissues. PET scans are particularly useful for diagnosing brain tumor and the effects of strokes on the brain, along with various mental illnesses. They are also used in brain research and in mapping of brain functions.

In both X-rays and CT scans, a form of radiation is emitted and travels through the body, and a detector receives the unabsorbed rays and transmits them to a computer. The physics behind PET scanning is quite different. Basically, a person is injected with a radioactive substance. This substance begins the process of

In nuclear medicine diagnosing techniques, a very small amount of radioactive material is introduced into the body. Because medical isotopes are attracted to specific organs, bones or tissues, the emissions they produce can provide crucial information about a particular type of cancer or disease. Information gathered during a nuclear medicine technique is more comprehensive than other imaging procedures because it describes organ function, not just structure. The result is that many diseases and cancers can be diagnosed much earlier.

The PET scan also will show two and three-dimensional images of the brain; however, the PET scan measures brain activity. This is done by injecting radioactive isotopes into the blood stream. The isotopes attach to

As with MRI, Computed Tomography can also be used to scan the body from head to toe. The procedures performed in CT can be either invasive or non-invasive and are used to visualize both soft tissues and bone. CT is utilized for both biopsies and drainage studies. This modality uses algorithms to produce scans of the various body parts, which need to be changed when imaging soft tissues versus bone tissue. A CT scan can also produce 360 degree images with just one scan.

There’s a biopsy where they take out the spot where they think the cancer is and test it for cancer. A CT scanning adds X-ray images with the aid of a computer to show across-parts and views of a patient's body. PET scans are often used to diagnose a condition or how a condition is developing in the body. They are used alongside X-rays. Patients are told to not eat for at least four to six hours before the scan but they can drink a lot of water. An MRI is a machine that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body. An X-Ray is an electromagnetic wave of high energy and very short wavelength, which is able to pass through many materials and to show through light. A bone scan is a nuclear imaging test that helps diagnose and track several types of bone disease. For treatment there are many different options. You have surgery, then you can have radiation therapy; and the high energy radiation kills cancer cells. Certain Kinase Inhibitors treat cancer that has a certain abnormal gene. Chemo Therapy is a drug treatment that blocks the spread of cancer. Immunotherapy is a treatment that teaches the body its defense system. Melanoma is found in body cells. The cancer is found in melanocytes, specialized cells in skin that produce brown color to skin known as

Computed tomography (CT) degree programs teach students how to use X-rays, technology and software to gather anatomic information from patients. CAT machines take pictures of a sectional plane of the body and present it as a 3D l image.

In the field of radiologist technologist you have number of imagines to perform. One type of imaging is x-rays, in order to get a clear picture you must position the bone in a correct position. You need to get the correct angle the physician ordered so you can develop and come up with the correct diagnoses. A computer tomography better known as a CT scans you used by injecting a radioactive solution into a

The MRI scanner is a large magnet that is 30,000 times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field. The force increases as a person or a ferromagnetic object move closer to the magnet. The strong magnetic field of the MR scanner is Always on even when the MR scanner is not in use.

Fused PET/CT is a recently developed technology that couples the functional information of PET with the anatomic details of CT (8).

Some types of tests that are used are like an x-ray is a way to create a picture of the structures inside of the body using a small amount of radiation.And a bone scan uses a radioactive tracer to look at the inside of the bones. The tracer is injected into a patient’s vein. It collects in areas of the bone and is detected by a special

The PET scanning is particularly useful in detecting cancer because most cancer cells use more glucose than normal tissues. In lung cancer, pet scans are sometimes used to observe for cancer in particular areas such as the lymph nodes, in the chest or to demonstrate the spreading activity of cancer cells to other areas the body. This would help the doctor to take a further decision about the treatment of a

A MRI scanner mainly stands for magnetic resonance imaging. The MRI uses lots of magnetic fields and also helps scan with radio waves to create pictures of your inner tissues, organs and other body parts. The MRI scanner has strong magnetic fields that help a line all the particles that are called protons that are close to the hydrogen atoms. All of the protons that are inside the body line up against the magnetic field, because they react like little magnets.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron-emission tomography (PET) are both non-invasive tools used to map brain functions and screen for diseases. MRI scans produce clear and detailed images of one’s brain structure by detecting/transmitting/displaying radio signals into an image. By looking into soft tissue they can analyze if parts of the brain are not functioning properly. For example, if someone experienced head trauma an MRI could detect swelling or bleeding. PET scans monitor the consumption of radioactively labeled glucose in the brain, and represents the different activity level using different colours. If activity level is low it could mean there is damage of sorts, or the brain isn’t functioning properly. These devices have

The study of positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanning effectiveness in supporting better public health outcomes has been proven with the accuracy these devices provide in diagnosing illnesses and potentially sever medial conditions. The costs of a PET scanning system can easily surpass $1M in system costs alone however (Wagner, 1988). SPECT systems are equally expensive which make both of these systems' availability limited to only the most prosperous and wealthy areas of the world (Lejeune, Zahouri, Woronoff-lemsi,, et.al., 2005). One study indicated that over 95% of scans from these systems are entirely paid for by insurance programs that have specific preconditions defined for patients as the average cost can easily exceed $20,000 per full scan (Lejeune, Zahouri, Woronoff-lemsi,, et.al., 2005). The intent of this analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of PET and SPECT scans in supporting better health outcomes, in addition to analyzing the benefits of these technologies to who has access to their tests. There is also an analysis of the diseases these technologies are most adept at diagnosing.